Why I Prefer Experiences Over Luxury While Traveling
Introduction
There was a time when I thought travel meant better hotels, fancy breakfasts, infinity pools, and soft pillows waiting at the end of the day. And yes, there is comfort in that. But somewhere between dusty trails, shared hostel rooms, roadside chai, and conversations with strangers who felt like old friends, my idea of travel quietly changed.
I didn’t choose experiences over luxury overnight.
Travel taught me that—slowly, gently, and honestly.
Travel Isn’t About Where You Sleep, It’s About How You Feel When You Wake Up
I’ve slept on crisp white bedsheets with perfectly folded towels.
And I’ve also slept on bunk beds, thin mattresses, and sometimes barely slept at all.
But the mornings I remember most?
- Waking up to the sound of temple bells
- Watching the sky change colors over mountains
- Listening to people whisper their life stories over morning tea
Luxury gave me comfort.
Experiences gave me memories.
Over time, I realised that where I stay matters less than how deeply I experience a place. That’s exactly why I often choose hostels, homestays, and slow travel over luxury hotels.
Luxury Is Predictable. Experiences Are Personal.
Luxury hotels are designed to feel the same—no matter where you are.
Same rooms. Same service. Same controlled comfort.
But experiences?
They are unpredictable, raw, and deeply personal.
You never know:
- Who you’ll meet on a trek
- What story a stranger will share
- Which moment will quietly change you
Where I Usually Stay When I Travel
I personally prefer hostels and simple stays that allow me to meet people, share stories, and truly feel the place I’m visiting.
And that uncertainty?
That’s where the magic lives.
I’d Rather Collect Stories Than Amenities
I don’t remember:
- The thread count of my bedsheets
- The size of the TV
- The brand of toiletries
But I remember:
- Sharing food with strangers who became family for a night
- Sitting silently by a river, feeling lighter without knowing why
- Laughing uncontrollably over simple moments that didn’t need a filter
Luxury fades.
Stories stay.
Some of my most meaningful travel memories came from choosing simple stays and spending more time exploring the destination itself—walking, talking, eating local, and saying yes to experiences instead of upgrades.
Experiences Connect Me to People, Not Just Places
When you travel for experiences, you don’t stay inside walls—you step outside them.
You talk.
You listen.
You learn.
You understand cultures not from brochures, but from conversations.
You learn humility when you see people living with less yet smiling more.
That connection—that human exchange—is something no luxury package can offer.
Experiences I Choose Over Luxury
Instead of spending on fancy hotels, I invest in experiences—treks, local tours, spiritual walks, and cultural activities that help me connect deeply with a place.
Experiences Teach Me More About Myself Than Any Five-Star Stay
Trekking taught me patience.
Backpacking taught me flexibility.
Staying in shared spaces taught me empathy.
Travel stopped being about escaping life.
It became about understanding it better.
Luxury makes things easier.
Experiences make you grow.
Choosing Experiences Is Choosing Presence
When everything is perfectly arranged, you consume travel.
When things are raw and real, you live it.
I prefer moments where:
- My phone stays in my pocket
- My heart feels full without a reason
- Time slows down without asking permission
Because travel, for me, is not about being impressed.
It’s about being present.
Why I’ll Always Choose Experiences
I don’t travel to feel rich.
I travel to feel alive.
And experiences—messy, emotional, uncomfortable, beautiful experiences—
give me that feeling every single time.
Final Thought
Luxury shows you how good life can be.
Experiences show you why life is good.
And that’s why, wherever I go, I choose experiences over luxury—
not because luxury is bad,
but because experiences stay with me long after the journey ends.
Rinkal
Rinkal is a passionate traveler from Ahmedabad who loves exploring hidden gems, savoring local foods, and sharing adventures with fellow wanderers. Rinkal’s goal is to inspire others to travel on a budget while truly experiencing the essence of each place.
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